Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am in a bit of a quandry here, and am wondering which would be less tramatic for my ornate boxie.

She's been outside for about a week, in a nice big enclosure with all the luxuries. But today we got an unusual cold spell, 50 during the day, and it's supposed to go down to the 40's tonight.

I took her inside, but I no longer have anything set up for her, so she is in a 1 foot cubed box with shredded newspaper. I had a heat lamp on for a couple of hours, but she was getting too hot so I turned it off.

She doesn't seem to distressed, but what is worse? Getting too cold outside, or having to be in a strange little enclosure for 24 hours?
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0.1.0 snapping turtle
0.1.0 painted turtle
0.1.0 ornate box turtle
0.1.0 teddybear hamster
0.1.0 Australian shepard
3.2.0 children

I would advise to leave her outside, and just make sure she's covered.
When cold weather approaches in the fall, or in the spring when the weather is fickle, mine withstand a night or two of 40-ish degree temperatures quite nicely: I just make sure they're not out in the open, tossing some leaves over them. Mulch works well, too.
Stephanie

I agree with steph. The ornate should be fine outside as long as they have protection from the wind. A good loose dirt pile with leaves on top is what my ornate likes. Borrows down to just below ground level with a pile of leaves on top.

Sounds reasonable to me. She's sound asleep now, so I'll just leave her for the night, but I'll get her set up to stay out tomorrow morning.

Thanks for the help!
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0.1.0 snapping turtle
0.1.0 painted turtle
0.1.0 ornate box turtle
0.1.0 teddybear hamster
0.1.0 Australian shepard
3.2.0 children